Thinking of taking up Photography?

Thinking of taking up photography? Own a camera but not really sure how all the "magic" happens? Wanting to just improve your knowledge on how it all works?

One of the first steps in learning about photography is getting a good book about the basics. Either try finding one at your local library, bookstore or even order one online. Some recommended early reads are, but not limited to:

During this whole time you will have needed to or already learned how to download your digital images. Unless you're unnaturally talented, you'll want to touch these photos up to make them look that much better or add a special effect to them. Now you're going to need to have specialist software and learn how to use it, some of the most widely used software of choice is Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and most digital camera's nowadays come with their own standalone picture editing software.

If you're not one to sit down and read a whole bunch of books, there is also the option to take some short courses to learn the basics in a practical environment. There are numerous sources for photography courses in NZ. The phone book or google should help you out in finding them but to help you along, some have been listed below by their region.

The GP Photography forum also has a list of helpful hints, tips and tutorials for anyone interested. Also don't be afraid to create a thread or make a post if you need a question answered.

One of the best ways to learn photography though is to do it. Go out there and experiment, try different settings and see what works for you and what doesn't. If you've got a friend or know someone who does photography, ask if you could follow them along on a shoot to see how they do things. Knowing the basics helps but nothing is better than experience.

Just bought myself a Canon EOS 400D... Not too familiar with still photography, but am a professional videographer. Kinda just bought it on a whim while Harvey Norman had 40 months interest free...

Was wondering if anyone had any experience with Photography Institute? Completely online NZ-based course. I'm looking for a short course, and this is looking particularly attractive because you can do it at your own pace... Quite expensive though at $1199 considering there's no real contact with your tutor.

Just bought myself a Canon EOS 400D... Not too familiar with still photography, but am a professional videographer. Kinda just bought it on a whim while Harvey Norman had 40 months interest free...

Was wondering if anyone had any experience with Photography Institute? Completely online NZ-based course. I'm looking for a short course, and this is looking particularly attractive because you can do it at your own pace... Quite expensive though at $1199 considering there's no real contact with your tutor.

If youre considering an online course - go find a curriculum for an advanced photography course - use that as your syllabus, google for said subjects and tutorials - then its free

Just bought myself a Canon EOS 400D... Not too familiar with still photography, but am a professional videographer. Kinda just bought it on a whim while Harvey Norman had 40 months interest free...

Was wondering if anyone had any experience with Photography Institute? Completely online NZ-based course. I'm looking for a short course, and this is looking particularly attractive because you can do it at your own pace... Quite expensive though at $1199 considering there's no real contact with your tutor.

Sorry about the late reply, moving and all

If you're looking at spending that kind of money on a course, I found the NZIBS Photography course rather appealing. Once I finish my current course I might be taking this one up. It's not all online but it is all by correspondence which is the next best thing really. The course is called Photography for Beginners but after looking at the subject material I'm not all too sure if it is just for beginners. Either way, check it out and see what you think.

I'm considering doing the 24 week Photography Institute course. I received an email (presume offer open to anyone on their mailing list). Sign up within the next month and the course costs $699.99. (save $500).

I've had a thorough read through the prospectus and it appears, at first glance, like a really good place to start.

So to repeat DeVi's three year old question, has anyone else had any experience with them?

I'm considering doing the 24 week Photography Institute course. I received an email (presume offer open to anyone on their mailing list). Sign up within the next month and the course costs $699.99. (save $500).

I've had a thorough read through the prospectus and it appears, at first glance, like a really good place to start.

So to repeat DeVi's three year old question, has anyone else had any experience with them?

Doing a graphic design course and we have photography for second year. Used my course related loan, and got a canon 500D.
Feel like such a tourist with that thing around my neck and no idea wtf i am doing
Will keep an eye on this thread and maybe have some usefull input in the near future.

I'm considering doing the 24 week Photography Institute course. I received an email (presume offer open to anyone on their mailing list). Sign up within the next month and the course costs $699.99. (save $500).

I've had a thorough read through the prospectus and it appears, at first glance, like a really good place to start.

So to repeat DeVi's three year old question, has anyone else had any experience with them?

knack
wrote:

Did you end up enrol in their course? Would you recommend?

In the process of doing this course now myself. Currently half way through and enjoying it. Have already been through the technical side of things before but the creative side is good. A couple assignments require you to find a notable photographer and then mimic their style which really gets you thinking and working out how they would have set the shots up themselves which I find great. So far things are pretty good and the tutors are nice and helpful whenever you have questions as well.

Great to hear Marshal. My start date was pushed back due to the earthquake however I've been in touch with PI and they're letting me use the February Special any time when I'm ready to kick off. Though I presume that special price is available to anyone with the link, they simply advertise it 2/3 times a year.

I'm looking forward to commencing within the next 6 weeks. We'll have no shortage of Photo-ops here in Christchurch for the next 5 years :P

Yes good stuff. World of photography is a fantastic place.
Just off hand, theres a release photo doco about to take place on New Zealand's Blue duck of all things, if you can get hold of this and see these shots it will mind blow you, really amazing. Good stuff guys, the more people into this type of hobby/skill the better in my opinion.

I work as a freelance photographer, and have been asked about these online courses before. It's ****ing expensive, but I would definitely recommend a uni/tech course over online/distance learning. Most of the topics an online course will cover, you can look up on youtube, and I really think that genuine efficient learning comes about by having someone in the room who you can ask questions of. Not being able to have those conversations (or having to wait hours/days for their reply) would annoy the hell out of me and feel like false economy.

Of course, the real truth is that anyone truly talented will just go out and produce good work from day one wether they have good teachers or not. the best (and richest) photographer I know has never had a day in the classroom in his whole life. That's how much life is an arse.

I work as a freelance photographer, and have been asked about these online courses before. It's ****ing expensive, but I would definitely recommend a uni/tech course over online/distance learning. Most of the topics an online course will cover, you can look up on youtube, and I really think that genuine efficient learning comes about by having someone in the room who you can ask questions of. Not being able to have those conversations (or having to wait hours/days for their reply) would annoy the hell out of me and feel like false economy.

Of course, the real truth is that anyone truly talented will just go out and produce good work from day one wether they have good teachers or not. the best (and richest) photographer I know has never had a day in the classroom in his whole life. That's how much life is an arse.

To be completely honest you're not going to learn a thing that is useful that you can't teach yourself outside of a university and then most of the stuff on photography is what you can teach yourself with enough hours outside of really fiddly stuff like off camera flash, studio work and learning how to pose people. Stuff I'm not much good at and not much interested in either.

What you will tend to get out of a university course is the theoretical stuff, and art history, as well as visual design and so on. This stuff is the harder stuff to teach yourself outside of a structured environment. It's not impossible but more difficult.

What you will also get is a qualification which says you are someone and not just a 2bit freelancer who is in photography because their mates said they could make a gig out of doing wedding photography. It really does depend on how serious you want to get with it all though. But amateur hour is great until you fark up someones wedding photos and they have no memories of the event to keep.

I learned a lot from my dad who went to university later in his life to study design. I don't really have the time or the money to put aside to do the same, so whatever really. But the same principle applies. If you want to go to school to study photography or fine art, do it properly or not at all. Do it under the accreditation of someone that is qualified to state the shit thats coming out of their mouths.